The prominent and key role played by Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in formulating the general framework of the Iraqi regime after 2003 is no secret. He insisted that Iraqis write the constitution, demanded that the state hire people by democratic mechanisms and insisted on holding elections as soon as possible.
Iraqi election officials began handing out new, computerized voter identification cards Saturday across the capital as the country prepares for its first nationwide election since the withdrawal of U.S. troops.
But the more than $100 million push to modernize voting comes as officials can't distribute cards in embattled Anbar province, where al-Qaida fighters seized control of parts of two cities, and as militant attacks rage on unabated, killing at least 14 people alone Saturday and wounding nearly two dozen.
Chairman of Iraqi Elections Commission discussed with the US embassy in Baghdad the role of international observers in the coming elections.
In a statement today, the Commission tackled the preparations for the electoral process.
Najaf (Iraq) (AFP) - Powerful Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, leader of a major political movement and a key figure in post-Saddam Iraq, has announced his exit from politics two months before elections.
Tens of thousands of security forces in Iraq’s self-ruled northern Kurdish region flocked on Thursday to polling centers to vote, two days ahead of the area’s fourth election for local parliament since 1992.
Saturday’s balloting in the region also known as Iraqi Kurdistan is likely to underline the Kurdish minority’s insistence on self-rule and independence from the central, Arab-led government in Baghdad.
Close to 50% of eligible voters cast their ballot in Iraq's provincial elections today amid tight security.
Election officials said including results from a special vote a week earlier for members of the armed forces, total participation would be more than 51%.
Official preliminary results are not expected for several days, but the local vote will be a key test of political parties' strength before the parliamentary elections in 2014.
Two Iraqi Sunni Muslim candidates were killed less than a week before local elections that will be a test of the country's political stability after U.S. troops left more than a year ago.
The election on Saturday to select provincial council members will measure Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's political muscle against Shi'ite and Sunni rivals before the parliamentary election in 2014.
The Council of Minister decided to postpone holding the next local elections in Anbar and Nineveh provinces for six months.
A statement by the CoM received by IraqiNews.com cited “During its tenth meeting, the CoM decided to postpone holding the next elections in Anbar and Nineveh province for six months according to the request of Anbar Provincial Council to postpone the elections due to the security situation.”
Sunni Muslims in Iraq are continuing their demonstrations against the Shia-led government which they accuse of marginalising them.
Thousands gathered on Sunday in Ramadi, 100km west of Baghdad, in Anbar Province, which has seen several days of protests.
The protests began on Friday with many demonstrators massing along a major highway near the city of Falujah in the country's north.
Tens of thousands of Iraqis have taken part in protests along a major western highway and in other parts of the country in fresh rallies against the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
Massive demonstrations took place along a major highway near the city of Fallujah on Friday, declaring the day a "Friday of honor."
The rallies appear to be the largest yet in a week of demonstrations, intensifying pressure on the Shia-led government.
The people want the downfall of the regime
The IHEC approves (23) PEs that presented their request to participate in GCEs which take place on 20 April. Next year.
Mr. Moqdad Al Sharify, CEO declared that the number of political entity approved by the IEHC are (23) political entity and the IHEC still accept requests from a different entities according to the procedures and regulations that adopted by IHEC.
The IHEC Opened the political entity registration untill 25 November after approved the certification regulation of the PE and coalition.
Aliaa Kamil
Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's rivals have started campaigning for term limits in an attempt to block the Shi'ite leader running for a third term in 2014, opening up a new battle in the country's fragile cross-sectarian government.
Since the last American troops left Iraq nearly a year ago, the country's Shi'ite, Sunni Muslim and ethnic Kurdish parties have been caught up in a power-sharing stalemate that has left key oil and investment laws paralyzed in parliament.
